Pirates pitchers and catchers report to spring training next week, and preparations are underway at PNC Park.
It takes the effort of about two dozen people - and a lot of equipment, to prepare for six weeks of baseball in Bradenton.
Two tractor trailers will head south.
“100 helmet, maybe 200 pairs of paints, 100 jerseys, maybe 60 pairs of shoes,” said head clubhouse manager Kiere Bulls. “Helmets to bicycles to beach chairs to personal bins to personal luggage . . . you name it, we likely got it on there.”
He says it’s taken several years to get to perfect the process of getting the gear from Pittsburgh to Florida and beyond. It’s also a process that begins as soon as the previous season ends.
“We have to take everything to Pirate City, once we’re done practicing there, we have to pack up, take it all to Lecom (Park), unpack it,” said Bulls. “So, it’s not just this move and then we pack it to come back up (to Pittsburgh).”
Pitchers and catchers report on Wednesday 14. You'll hear Pirates games on KDKA Radio and on 93.7 The Fan all season.